Yves Saint Laurent

Date Founded: 1962
Most Notable Designers: Yves Saint Laurent (1962 - 2002), Stefano Pilati (2002 - 2012), Hedi Slimane (2012 - present)
Muses Throughout History: Loulou de la Falaise, Catherine Deneuve, Betty Catroux, Talitha Getty
Most Famous Contribution To Fashion: Saint Laurent famously designed Le Smoking tuxedo suit, and in the '60s, his trapeze dresses changed the current, modern silhouette forever.
House Drama: Women were initially banned from restaurants and private institutions for wearing Le Smoking and/or sheer YSL blouses. YSL was later sued by Christian Louboutin for creating red-soled shoes and won the lawsuit. And then, recently, Hedi Slimane decided to drop the "Yves" in YSL, instead returning the brand to the moniker of Saint Laurent Paris.

Illustrations by Gabriela Alford